Fire Safety Risk Assessment FSFRM058A

(Small Premises) May 2011

Introduction

Fire Safety Risk Assessment

This form is intended to assist small businesses in carrying out the fire safety risk safety assessment. It
is suitable for use in simple premises, with a simple internal layout and small numbers of people present,
e.g. small offices, shops or industrial units and where people can escape unaided. In buildings with
complicated escape arrangements, large numbers of people or high fire safety risk processes a more
comprehensive fire safety risk assessment may be necessary.

The enclosed information follows a simple 5 step guide to completing a suitable assessment. The fire
safety risk assessment does not need to be complicated, it should be a common sense review to identify
the hazards (what could start a fire and what could burn), followed by consideration of the possible
effects of a fire on people using the building. The important thing is that the fire safety risk assessment is
systematic to ensure that every part of the premises is assessed. Every room, space or area, especially
those not often used, should be included.

If you identify any significant risks you should consider if they can be reduced: first by removing the
hazards and secondly by providing fire protection measures (e.g. automatic fire detection). These points
should be addressed within the ‘What needs to be done to make each situation safe?’ section. If your
premises are located within a larger building and if a fire in your business could affect your neighbours,
you should share the findings of your fire safety risk assessment with your neighbours.

Your fire safety risk assessment must be kept up to date. It is important to update the assessment if
anything is changed that might affect the risk (e.g. new ignition sources or use of flammable liquids etc.).
If you identify that either the likelihood of a fire occurring or there is a risk to people you may want to
consider seeking further assistance.

Emergency Plan

The findings of the fire safety risk assessment should be used to prepare an emergency plan. The plan
should set out to include what to do in case of fire, identify the escape routes, where to assemble and
how to contact the Fire and Rescue Service. The fire safety equipment and any equipment that provides
a possible ignition source (e.g. cooking, electrical appliances, etc.) should be regularly maintained to
reduce the chance of fire and the risk to people. Frequent checks should also be made to make sure that
the storage of materials, especially flammable materials, does not increase the risk of fire or prevent the
use of escape routes. It is important that all members of staff know how to prevent fires and what to do if
a fire does occur. To make sure that the emergency plan works regular fire drills should be carried out.
For further guidance on the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and for information and
guidance on carrying out your fire safety risk assessment visit
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fire-safety-law-and-guidance-documents-for-business
and follow the links in fire safety.

The 5 Step Guide to Fire Safety Risk Assessment

1. Identify the fire risks

2. Identify people at risk
3. Evaluate, remove, reduce and protect from risk
4. Record, plan, inform, instruct and train
5. Review
 FIRE SAFETY RISK ASSESSMENT
DETAILS
Company Name:

Premises Name:

Address:

Responsible Person:

Position:

Date of Assessment:

Carried out by:

Position:

Use of the Premises:

OCCUPANCY
Times in Use: Weekdays: Weekends:

Total Numbers of Staff: Weekdays: Weekends:

Total of all Persons Present: Weekdays: Weekends:

SIZE
Total Size of Premises (M2):

Number of Storeys:

Number of Basements:

INDEMNITY

This document has been produced as a tool to assist you in completing a fire safety risk assessment of
your premises. It is used entirely at your own risk to identify what you consider are your significant
findings, and also whether you consider the information therein to be suitable and sufficient. It is in no
way exhaustive and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service accepts no liability whatsoever for any
circumstances which may arise as a result of using this tool.

Risk Assessment Small Premises (FSFRM058A) Page 2 of 10

Step 1 - Identify Fire Hazards (Sources of Ignition)
Type Location Are existing control measures suitable?

Naked Flames YES NO

Portable Heaters and YES NO

Heating Equipment

Electrical Equipment YES NO

Cooking Equipment YES NO

Work Process Risk(s) YES NO

Arson YES NO

Smoking Materials YES NO

Other Sources YES NO

(including Contractors)

If you have answered NO to any question above complete the details below: -
Date Date
What needs to be done to make each situation safe? Action required by whom
due complete

Risk Assessment Small Premises (FSFRM058A) Page 3 of 10

Step 1 – Identify Fire Hazards (Sources of Fuel and Oxygen)
Type Location Are existing control measures suitable?

Wood / Paper /Cardboard YES NO

Plastics / Rubber / Foam YES NO

Retail Stock YES NO

Furniture and Fixings YES NO

(curtains, blinds etc)
Flammable Material
(gases / liquids / paints / YES NO
thinners / glues)
Display Materials or YES NO
Decorations

Waste Materials YES NO

(refuse, packaging)

Building Structure YES NO

Oxygen Supplies
(air conditioning units / YES NO
bottles / piped supply)

If you have answered NO to any question above complete the details below: -
Date Date
What needs to be done to make each situation safe? Action required by whom
due complete

Risk Assessment Small Premises (FSFRM058A) Page 4 of 10

Step 2 – Identifying People at Risk
Type Findings

a) Sensory Risk:

People with visual and / or

hearing impairment(s)

b) Mobility Risk:

People with physical

impairments

c) Familiarity Risk:

People who may be new to

the premises and not
familiar to its layout,
seasonal workers,
contractors, visitors or
customers

d) Numbers Risk:

Large numbers of people,

small numbers of disabled
people

e) Lone Workers /
People Working in
Isolation / Others

Additional Information:

Risk Assessment Small Premises (FSFRM058A) Page 5 of 10

Step 3 ~ Evaluate, Remove, Reduce and Protect From Risk
Are ignition sources controlled to reduce the chances of fire? YES NO
Are combustible materials kept away from ignition sources? YES NO
Are all windows and openings closed last thing at night? YES NO
Is your fire alarm system adequate for your premises? YES NO
Will everybody be warned if the fire alarm operates? YES NO
Can everyone escape without assistance? YES NO
Is the means of escape adequate for the layout of the building? YES NO
Are all fire exits easily identified by correct signage? YES NO
Are escape routes free from obstruction and storage? YES NO
Are all doors on escape routes easily opened without a key? YES NO
Do all doors on escape routes open in the direction of escape? YES NO
Can everyone escape in a reasonable time? YES NO
Are escape routes adequately lit if the regular lighting system
YES NO
fails?
Is the lighting adequate to illuminate circulation routes? YES NO
Do you have fire fighting equipment? YES NO
Is the fire fighting equipment adequate for the risks present? YES NO
Are housekeeping and general waste management adequate? YES NO
Are security arrangements sufficient to prevent unauthorised
YES NO
access?
Are measures adequate to prevent the incidents of arson? YES NO
Are your premises free of any large open roof spaces or
YES NO
concealed ceiling voids?
Would a fire in your premises be contained wholly within it? YES NO
Can the fire service easily get to your premises? YES NO

If you have answered NO to any question above complete the details below: -
Date Date
What needs to be done to make each situation safe? Action required by whom
due complete

Risk Assessment Small Premises (FSFRM058A) Page 6 of 10

Step 4 ~ Record, Plan, Inform, Instruct and Train
You must record your fire safety arrangements – this includes:

Have you made an emergency plan? YES NO

Have you provided fire instruction and staff training? YES NO
Are there records of fire drills to test your training and emergency plan? YES NO
Are there records of maintenance on all fire safety measures? YES NO
Have you recorded the significant findings of this assessment on Page 9? YES NO

If you have answered NO to any question above complete the details below: -
Date Date
What needs to be done to make each situation safe? Action required by whom
due complete

Step 5 ~ Review
Your fire safety risk assessment must be kept up to date

Date of next review

It is recommended that you review your fire safety risk assessment

regularly (recommended every 12 months) OR if you make
changes to the layout of your premises, any changes to work / / 20
processes, significantly increase the amount of combustible
materials stored or displayed or sources of ignition, change your
opening hours (e.g. to include night time opening etc.) or any
failures in your fire safety precautions then you should review your
fire safety risk assessment.

For further information visit the website – www.firesafetyguides.communities.gov.uk or

contact the Fire Protection Section of West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service
on 01274 682311.

A copy of this form can be downloaded from www.westyorksfire.gov.uk and follow the
links from fire safety then legislative fire safety.
Risk Assessment Small Premises (FSFRM058A) Page 7 of 10
 SIMPLE PREMISES FIRE SAFETY RISK ASSESSMENT

LEVEL OF FIRE RISK

In premises where there is a likelihood of a fire starting and spreading quickly, or a fire could start and
grow undetected, and affecting the escape routes before people can use them, then the level of risk
should normally be regarded at ‘higher’. Such premises might include those where significant quantities
of flammable materials are used or stored; ready sources of ignition are present, e.g. heat producing
machinery and processes; premises where significant numbers of the people are present and might
move slowly or be unable to move without assistance; and premises where the construction provides
hidden voids or flues through which a fire could quickly spread.

In premises where there is a low occupancy level and all the occupants are able bodied and capable of
using the means of escape without assistance; very little chance of a fire starting; few if any highly
combustible or flammable materials or other fuels for a fire; fire is unlikely to spread quickly; and will be
quickly detected so that all people will quickly know that a fire has occurred and can make their escape,
then the risk can usually be regarded as ‘lower’.

In most cases however, the risk will usually be ‘normal’.

Taking into account both the active and passive fire prevention measures and general fire precautions
observed at the time of this fire safety risk assessment, it is considered that the hazard from fire
(likelihood of fire) at these premises is:

Low Normal High

In this context, a definition of the above terms is as follows: -

Low: Unusually low likelihood of fire as a result of negligible potential sources of ignition.

Normal: Normal fire hazards (e.g. potential ignition sources) for this type of occupancy, with fire
hazards generally subject to appropriate controls.

High: Lack of adequate controls applied to one or more significant fire hazards, such as to result
in significant increase in the likelihood of fire.

Note that, although the purpose of the above is to place the risk fire in context, the approach to fire
safety risk assessment is subjective and for guidance only. All hazards and deficiencies identified in this
fire safety risk assessment should be addressed by implementing all the recommendations contained in
the following action plan.

The fire risk assessment should be reviewed regularly (recommended to be annually).

Risk Assessment Small Premises (FSFRM058A) Page 8 of 10

 SIMPLE PREMISES

FIRE SAFETY ACTION PLAN

Each item should be allocated a priority as follows: -

Priority 1: Needs attention immediately
Priority 2: Needs attention within 1 month
Priority 3: Needs attention within the next 6 months
Priority 4: Needs attention within the next 12 months

Action Action by Completion

Ref: Priority
Required Whom Date

Page of

Risk Assessment Small Premises (FSFRM058A) Page 9 of 10

PLAN DRAWING
Complete a simple line drawing of the premises and identify your fire safety provisions including escape routes,
portable fire extinguishers, smoke and / or heat detectors, emergency lighting and fire alarm call points.
KEY
Escape Routes Fire Extinguishers Smoke Detectors SD Heat Detectors HD

Fire Alarm Sounders Emergency Lighting EL Manual Break Glass Point MBGP

Identifying Ignition and Fuel Sources

As an aid to identifying the hazards within your premises it’s possible to use a system of noughts and crosses,
using an X to mark ignition sources and an O for fuel sources.

Risk Assessment Small Premises (FSFRM058A) Page 10 of 10